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In November 2023, an investigation was conducted by the Kokomo Police Department and the Department of Child Services. The result of the investigation resulted in a warrant being issued from Howard Superior Court IV on December 18, 2023. The Defendant, Steven Joseph Nelson, 54, of Kokomo, was arrested and charged with two counts of Child Molestation, Level 4 felonies.

A jury trial began on this case on February 6, 2026, in Howard Superior Court IV. The trial concluded February 10, at approximately 5 p.m. when the jury returned a guilty verdict on both counts of Level 4 felony Child Molestation.

Nelson was returned to the Howard County Jail pending sentencing on this cause. He is also being held for a separate Level 1 felony Child Molest case involving a different victim from October 2024.

If anyone has additional information pertaining to this case or other cases involving Steven “Joey” Nelson, you can contact Captain Bruce D. Rood #332 at 765-456-7332 (brood@cityofkokomo.org) or the Kokomo Police Department Hotline at 765-456-7017. You can also leave an anonymous tip by using the tip411 app, or you can contact the Kokomo Police Department at 765-457-1105. You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip.

Remember, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.